Beverage Container Cover

ABSTRACT

A lid for an open top beverage container such as a paper cup with a is formed as a generally disk shaped body with curved slot opening in the body and an air inlet hole in the body. The peripheral edge of the disk has a plurality of annular abutment sealing rings at axially spaced locations along the axis with all of the things including an uppermost ring and typically two lower rings all lying on an imaginary generally conical surface surrounding the axis so that the rings in use engage the generally conical inside surface of the beverage container at a position thereon spaced downwardly from an upper edge of the beverage container for sealing against the inside surface so that the lid slides down into the container and creates a seal inside the container allowing the beverage container to be taken mobile.

This invention relates to a lid that fits inside any standardized medium to large beverage container. The lid slides down into the container and creates a seal inside the container allowing a coffee mug or cup to be taken mobile.

The lid is inserted snuggly into beverage container making a tight seal to the inner surface of the container. The flexible material molds to the contour of the container making a stopper seal using fin seals or gaskets. There is a slotted hole for a spout from which the user will drink. There is an air hole in the top to create consistent flow of liquid while it is being used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provide a lid for a beverage container comprising:

a generally disk shaped body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge surrounding a center axis of the body;

a discharge opening in the body through which a beverage in the container is free to pass;

an air inlet hole in the body through which replacement air is free to pass;

the peripheral edge having a plurality of annular abutment sealing rings at axially spaced locations along the axis;

the rings being arranged to lie on an imaginary generally conical surface surrounding the axis so that the rings in use engage a generally conical inside surface of the beverage container at a position thereon spaced downwardly from an upper edge of the beverage container for sealing against the inside surface;

whereby the lid slides down into the container and creates a seal inside the container allowing the beverage container to be taken mobile.

Preferably the sealing rings are formed of a flexible material.

Preferably the sealing rings and the disk body are molded from a flexible material.

Preferably the flexible material molds or flexes to the contour of the container making a stopper seal.

Preferably the rings are each spaced from the next by an intervening annular valley.

Preferably no part of the body lies radially outward of the imaginary surface so that the whole of the body slides inside the container to a position below the upper edge.

Preferably there are three rings but more can be provided if desired.

Preferably the top ring is thicker than lower rings.

Preferably the angle of the conical surface lies in the range 5 to 10 degrees and preferably of the order of 8 degrees.

Preferably the thickness of the body from the top ring to the bottom ring is in the range 0.25 to 0.75 inches.

Preferably the discharge opening comprises a slotted hole which is curved around the axis.

Preferably the slotted hole has a length of at least 0.75 inches around the axis.

Preferably the slotted hole has an upper surface lying in a plane of the top surface of the body so that there is no spout. However a spout may also be provided.

Preferably the slotted hole provides a mouth with a width ergonomically designed for liquid to target a wider palate on the tongue to optimize users enjoyment of the beverage as well as aroma to escape before the user drinks from the container.

Preferably the two angles of the sealing rings in the conical surface and the interior wall reference the conical draft angles of typical paper coffee cups as and many ceramic coffee mugs, this is also called the draft angle to allow the lid to slide down inside many standard container openings where the lid slides down until it is compressed tight to the tapered sides of the container which then creates a seal.

Preferably there is provided a pull tab which extends out as part of the rim to provide a piece of material of the body to grab in order to pull the lid out of the container.

Preferably the rim is designed to allow liquid to flow and pour evenly without letting it dribble down the side and also acts as the final seal. That is the outer rim of the uppermost fin acts like the other fins/seals below if but is thicker as it acts both as the rim and the seal.

Preferably at least two lower sealing rings form fins which compress against the side of the containers walls to seal the container from leaking while the lid is inside.

Preferably the fins have an upwardly inclined lower edge toward an apex to ensure the lid is seated in a friction fit inside the container.

Preferably there is provide a rim run-off channel which is set close to the wall of the lid so as to mimic the experience of drinking from a glass or ceramic mug rather than directly from the lid itself particularly when the lid is set deeper inside the container the liquid will flow down the wall of the container.

Preferably there is provided a rounded interior channel which creates a smooth flow of liquid, stopping the flow at the seal at the wall of the container and channeling it towards the spout. For larger openings in the container to be used, the lid will sit further down inside the container but will still function.

Preferably the top surface is concave to allow room for users nose and upper lip while drinking from the lid.

Preferably the bottom surface is concave to maximize the capacity while in use, especially in regard to beverages with foam on the top.

The arrangement herein provides a kind of rubber plug or tapered cap to fit into a mug or cup in order to preserve the temperature of a beverage. By producing the lid out of one material it will cut down on unnecessary parts and manufacturing complexity. The difference between Starbucks to-go mugs, the Joco mug, Greenpaxx and SipSnap, these products do not provide lids which fit inside standardized cups and mugs to make them universal, and thus, adaptable to other containers. Nearly all lids on the market are specific to certain containers. None of these addresses the need to provide customers with another sealing option when taking beverages mobile, both at home and at cafes. No product has addressed the unsustainable consumption of plastic lids in cafes specifically.

The arrangement herein is comprised of a central disc shape with seals orbiting the tapered side. There are three rounded fin-like seals that taper down conically that match the draft angle of most standardized paper cups. The fins which are ergonomically designed for the size of the majority mouth sizes, extend outward to contact the containers inner surface. These fins act as seals, which ensure the enclosure is set in place. To place the lid, the user pushes the lid down evenly into the container to create a friction fit; the fins mold to the sides of the container and create the watertight seal.

The top and the bottom of the central disc are concave which allows room for the users mouth and nose without obstruction. The concave design on the underside maximizes the capacity of the container, especially if there is foam or ice in the beverage. The concave design also reduces the overall material consumption.

The arrangement herein fits inside: the lid fits inside containers such as tumblers, cups, mugs and glasses and is held tight by three fins on the tapered side. These fins stop the lid from sinking deeper in the cup.

The arrangement herein provides universality where the lid is designed to fit into a variety of container types and sizes. The conical taper or inward draft angle matches that of many of the containers in use such as paper cups, ceramic and glass mugs and drinking glasses.

The arrangement herein provides a slotted opening which acts as the spout. It is wider than others on the market. It is designed lower so that the liquid will flow down the concave rim of the cup itself. The intention is to mimic the drinking experience of a standard cup or mug. The spout on the polystyrene lids used on to-go cups is on top and projected out, making the user sip the liquid out of the opening in the top surface.

The arrangement herein is a universally sized rubber to-go lid that fits inside most standardized mugs, cups or glasses that creates a seal inside the container. The arrangement herein is to be used inside existing beverage containers so that users can place the lid inside their container to create a seal so they can take the container mobile. The seal works as the material molds to the contour of the container making a stopper or plug seal. It is comprised of rounded outer fins that surrounding it, a rim, a drinking opening slot to drink from and an air hole to allow liquid to flow. The aim of this invention is to offer anyone wanting a more convenient and sustainable way of taking their beverages mobile using the arrangement herein in mugs and cups users already own. By using this lid it will reduce wasteful consumption both of new containers and in producing fewer disposable lids and cups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a lid according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the lid of FIG. 1 in combination with an open top beverage container.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, the lid 10 for a beverage container 11 includes a generally disk shaped body 12 having a top surface 13, a bottom surface 14 and a peripheral edge 15 surrounding a center axis of the body.

A discharge opening 16 is provided in the body 12 from the top surface to the bottom surface through which a beverage in the container is free to pass and an air inlet hole 17 in the body through which replacement air is free to pass. The slotted hole 16 is curved around the axis and has a length of at least 0.75 inches around the axis.

The peripheral edge 15 has three annular abutment sealing rings 151, 152, 153 at axially spaced locations along the axis separated by valleys 156, 157 where the rings are arranged so that an apex 154 of each ring lies on an imaginary generally conical surface 155 surrounding the axis. In use the lid slides down into the container such that all of the plurality of annular abutment sealing rings 151, 152 and 153 of the peripheral edge are in engagement with the conical inside surface of the container. In some cases the lid sits just proud of the top edge of the container but more preferably the lid moves during its sliding action to a position in which the top of the lid is below the top rim of the container so as to be wholly within the container and provide the best sealing action with the inner surface.

As the apexes lie on the surface 155, no part of the body lies radially outward of the imaginary surface so that the whole of the body slides inside the container to a position below the upper edge.

The top ring 151 is thicker than lower rings 152, 153.

At one side of the body there is provided a pull tab 18 which extends outwardly and upwardly as part of the rim to provide a piece of material of the body to grab in order to pull the lid out of the container.

The rim is designed to allow liquid to flow and pour evenly without letting it dribble down the side and also acts as the final seal.

As best shown in the cross-section of FIG. 3, the fins 152 and 153 each have an upwardly inclined lower edge 159 curved upwardly toward the apex 154 to allow the fins to flex upwardly to ensure the lid is seated in a friction fit inside the container.

As best shown in the cross-section of FIG. 3, the top surface 13 is concave at 131 or recessed downwardly from the top fin 151 to allow room for the nose and upper lip of the user while drinking from the lid. The concaved top surface also reduces material consumption in molding. Also the bottom surface 14 is concave or recessed upwardly from the plane of the bottom fin 153 as shown at 141 to maximize the capacity while in use, especially in regard to beverages with foam on the top.

The rim 151 is designed to allow liquid to flow and pour evenly without letting it dribble down the side. The rim also acts as the third seal.

The two fins 152 and 153 compress against the side of the containers walls to seal the container from leaking while the lid is inside. The fins extend 360 degrees as like rings with a slight angle upward at the ends to ensure the lid is seated in a friction fit inside the container. The lid acts as a stopper plug seal owing to the seals.

The conical taper 155 of the fin seals and the interior wall reference the conical draft angles of paper coffee cups as and many ceramic coffee mugs, this is also called the draft angle. Referencing these angles allow the lid to slide down inside many standard container openings. The lid slides down until it is compressed tight to the tapered sides of the container which then creates a seal.

As shown in FIG. 3, there is provide a rim run-off channel 19 which is set close to the wall of the lid so as to mimic the experience of drinking from a glass or ceramic mug rather than directly from the lid itself. When the lid is set deeper inside the container the liquid will flow down the wall of the container. The rim run-off channel is set close the wall of the lid so as to mimic the experience of drinking from a glass or ceramic mug rather than directly from the lid itself. When the lid is set deeper inside the container the liquid will flow down the wall of the container.

As shown in FIG. 3, there is provided a rounded interior channel 20 this creates a smooth flow of liquid, stopping the flow at the seal at the wall of the container and channeling it towards the spout. The rounded interior channel 20 creates a smooth flow of liquid, stopping the flow at the seal at the wall of the container and channeling it towards the discharge opening.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a flat circular stiffening disk 30 is embedded in the central area of the lid inwardly of the rings 151, 152 and 153 so as to apply forces outwardly tending to hold the rings against the wall of the container. The disk is thus located below the top surface 13 and above the bottom surface 14 so as to be encapsulated within the body of the lid during molding. The outer peripheral edge of the disk is located just inside the discharge opening 16 and the hole 17. 

1. A lid for a beverage container comprising: a generally disk shaped body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge surrounding a center axis of the body; a discharge opening in the body through which a beverage in the container is free to pass; an air inlet hole in the body through which replacement air is free to pass; the peripheral edge having a plurality of annular abutment sealing rings at axially spaced locations along the axis; the rings being arranged to lie on an imaginary generally conical surface surrounding the axis so that the rings in use engage a generally conical inside surface of the beverage container at a position thereon spaced downwardly from an upper edge of the beverage container for sealing against the inside surface; whereby the lid slides down into the container and creates a seal inside the container allowing the beverage container to be taken mobile.
 2. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the sealing rings are formed of a flexible material.
 3. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the sealing rings and the disk body are molded from a flexible material.
 4. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the flexible material conforms to the contour of the container making a stopper seal.
 5. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the rings are each spaced from the next by an intervening annular valley.
 6. The lid according to claim 1 wherein no part of the body lies radially outward of the imaginary surface so that the whole of the body slides inside the container to a position below the upper rim of the container.
 7. The lid according to claim 1 wherein there are three rings.
 8. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the top ring is thicker than lower rings.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the discharge opening forms a slotted hole which is curved around the axis.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The lid according to claim 11 wherein the slotted hole has an upper surface lying in a plane of the top surface of the body so that there is no upwardly extending spout.
 14. The lid according to claim 11 wherein the slotted hole has a width which is ergonomically designed for liquid exiting the slotted hole across the width thereof acts to target a wider palate on the tongue to optimize the enjoyment of a user of the beverage as well as to allow aroma to escape before the user drinks from the container.
 15. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the two angles of the sealing rings in the conical surface and the interior wall reference the conical draft angles of typical paper coffee cups as and many ceramic coffee mugs to allow the lid to slide down inside many standard container openings where the lid slides down until it is compressed tight to the tapered sides of the container which then creates a seal.
 16. The lid according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a pull tab which extends out as part of the rim to provide a piece of material of the body to grab in order to pull the lid out of the container.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The lid according to claim 1 wherein at least two lower sealing rings form fins which compress against the side of the containers walls to seal the container from leaking while the lid is inside.
 19. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the fins have an upwardly inclined lower edge toward an apex to ensure the lid is seated in a friction fit inside the container.
 20. The lid according to claim 1 wherein there is provide a rim run-off channel which is set close to the wall of the lid so as to mimic the experience of drinking from a glass or ceramic mug rather than directly from the lid itself particularly when the lid is set deeper inside the container the liquid will flow down the wall of the container.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the top surface of a central area is recessed from a top ring so as to allow room for the nose and upper lip of the user while drinking from the lid.
 23. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the bottom surface recessed upwardly from the bottom ring to maximize the capacity below the lid within the container while in use.
 24. The lid according to claim 1 wherein a central area of the body contains a stiffening disk.
 25. A combination of a beverage container having a conical inside surface and a lid according to claim 1 where the lid slides down into the container such that all of the plurality of annular abutment sealing rings of the peripheral edge are in engagement with the conical inside surface. 